Lynn's Comments: One of the most useful bits of psychology I learned in my mom and toddler classes was to use "I messages". When you tell a kid how their inappropriate behaviour affects you, the exchange becomes a discussion and not an accusation. When you reword "Your whining drives me crazy! Why are you whining so much?!" and say: "I don't understand why you're upset. It makes me unhappy to hear you whining. What can I do to help?" You're more likely to get a better response.
This is all very nice when you have your wits about you and can think of the right thing to say. Unfortunately "Oh for heaven's sake, cut the crap and get ready for school, already!" can easily spill out. The thing to remember is: a hug will always save the day!
